Both Haswell and Temash are slated to launch around mid-2013. Given that and the fact that the Surface Pro (first-generation) still hasn't launched, it sounds like Microsoft is not planning to roll out this upgrade for at least another year. However, if it does embrace this ambitious upgrade, it could definitely live up to its lofty self-set goals hardware wise.

To reach a lower price point. It's obvious they're not making the Surface RT and Surface Pro v2's with the same philosophies as the two current ones. The RT v2 is getting a smaller screen (which means they can't do the Touch cover thing unless they make a really cramped keyboard), and the Surface Pro v2 is getting an ultra low-voltage tablet SoC (as opposed to higher-wattage ultrabook-targeted chip like the ULV i5 in the soon-to-be-released one). The Surfacebook looks to targed to those attracted to the current Surface Pro's specs.

I'm not saying I think they *will* lower the res for the Surface Pro v2. But with the change in philosophies and addition of a third form-factor, it's not necessarily a given that the resolution won't be downgraded.